Meat Sales Low In Luweero Ahead New Year's Day

In shortA kilogram of beef and pork costs 7000 from 9000 shillings, while that of goatâ€™s meat is selling at 11,000 down from 12,000 shillings throughout December. At least 60 heads of cattle were slaughtered on Monday, but the sales were still poor by midday and butchers were seen sitting idle at their stalls with no customers.

The prices of meat have dropped in Luweero town council abattoirs ahead New Year's Day celebrations on Tuesday.

A kilogram of beef and pork costs 7000 from 9000 shillings, while that of goat’s meat is selling at 11,000 down from 12,000 shillings throughout December. At least 60 heads of cattle were slaughtered on Monday, but the sales were still poor by midday and butchers were seen sitting idle at their stalls with no customers.

The Luweero Central market butchers’ association chairperson, William Ntege, says that they have decided to cut down prices after recording low sales by midday.

Ntege adds that although they have cut down the prices of meat to maximise sales, they are likely to record losses at the end of the day because the prices of cattle were considerably high compared to past months. Ntege says a cow of 80 kilograms was bought at between 800,000 and 900,000 shillings up from 550,000 shillings without taxes and transport fare.

Davis Katumba, a butcher in Luweero Central Market abattoir, says that by midday he had sold only 30 kilograms out of 130 kilograms he stocked for sales. Katumba explains that people come and bargain but leave without buying.

Katumba says that the same period in 2011, he had sold more than 60 kilograms and was planning to slaughter another cow but today things are different.

Christopher Kaka, from Luweero Central market abattoir, says that people were fewer in markets while others have opted to buy fish which is relatively cheaper. Kaka says that he was planning to slaughter another cow later in the day but he has also suspended the move after failing to record higher sales. By midday, Kaka had not sold beyond 40 kilograms and the highest buyer had taken three kilograms.

Although prices were relatively lower compared to past months and Christmas season, buyers say they have no money to spend.

Abdulatif Kigongo, a resident of Lumu zone in Luweero town council, says that he has managed to buy only seven kilograms out of 15 he usually buys.

Another resident, Laban Kisitu, says that he had failed to buy a kilogram of meat because prices were still higher compared to his income. Kisitu says that he is planning to wait until the end of the day, hoping that the prices will have gone down.

Joan Namubiru, a resident of Kasaala village in Luweero sub county says that she come with 10,000 hoping to buy a kilogram of meat and spices but it was not enough and she resorted to buying groundnuts to cut down the expenditures.

Other items that include bananas are selling between 15000-20000 shillings a bunch and chicken goes for 20,000 or 25,000.

About the author

Since Brian Luwaga joined Uganda Radio Network in 2011, he is still amazed how, "URN is a place that gives journalists a chance to enhance their skills . It gives a journalist an opportunity to adopt and master various aspects of journalism that include radio broadcast, social media, photography and television production."

A practicing journalist since 2009, first with Star FM, Luwaga has always been keen to write about the concerns of the "common person." Based for much of his career in Luweero, Luwaga takes it as a compliment if politicians complain that his reporting is too harsh.

In his journalism, Luwaga likes to merge the past with the present. He believes you cannot understand what is happening now, if you do not have a grounding in the past. Brian Luwaga is the Luweero URN bureau chief. Nakasongola, Nakaseke, Mityana, Mubende and Wakiso districts fall under his docket.